Mr. Bluford has a BA from Fisk University ('71), a MBA from Northwestern University ('75), and studied at Harvard University's Executive Program in Health Policy in 1981.
Since March 1999, Mr. Bluford has served as the CEO and Executive Director of Truman Medical Center Systems in Kansas City, Missouri. The TMC system includes an urban Trauma Center, a suburban Community Hospital with a 212-bed Long-Term Care unit, and a Behavioral Health Network. TMC is also part owner of a 30,000 member HMO, Family Health Partners, along with Children's Mercy Hospital. Mr. Bluford also served for 21 years in various administrative positions at Hennepin County Medical Center - Minneapolis, Minnesota; the last six as it's CEO and from 1983-1999 the Executive Director of Metropolitan Health Plan - a 30,000+ HMO.
As CEO of Hennepin, Mr. Bluford effected a financial turnaround resulting in six years of annual surpluses, including a $40 million dollar capital improvement plan.
Mr. Bluford's Current National Board and Committee memberships include: Executive Committee - National Association of Public Hospitals; Operations Committee - University Healthsystem Consortium (Novation); AHA Nova Award Advisory Panel; AHA Task Force of Essential Access; and the Board of Directors - Delta Dental Plan of Minnesota.
In his presentation Mr. Blueford will discuss success and obstacles to leading public hospitals in urban areas, largely in the Midwest. These lessons are relevant for public hospitals around the country as they address issues of budget short falls in a competitive market place.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Identify successful strategies and obstacles in public hospitals in the Midwest. 2. Analyze and evaluate the applicability of these strategies nationwide
Keywords: Hospitals,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.